Schell Games, the development studio known for its collaboration on the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and the award‑winning I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly been forced to trim its workforce. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn posts from current and former employees detailed a wave of layoffs that began on a Friday earlier this month. The information first surfaced in a piece published by Game Developer, which cited multiple personal updates posted on the professional networking site. One such update came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, “Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today.” The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those being let go, and added a poignant note about the broader context: “This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging.” The cuts were confirmed by other members of the organization as well. Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, publicly acknowledged that the marketing department was among those affected and went on to name four specific employees who were losing their positions. In a separate post, the senior public‑relations manager for Schell Games revealed additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the reductions spanned multiple disciplines within the company.
Based on the collective posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen individuals have been impacted by the layoffs. This figure is significant given the studio’s stated size; Schell Games lists itself on LinkedIn as employing between 51 and 200 people, which places the affected staff at a noticeable percentage of the overall headcount. The sentiment among those departing was a mixture of disappointment and gratitude.
The public‑relations manager wrote, “I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years. But I’m walking away proud of what I accomplished during my time with the company, and I’m grateful for the people I got to build with.” This personal reflection underscores the emotional toll that such abrupt changes can have on employees who have dedicated years of service to a creative collective. The layoffs are particularly striking because they come despite a longstanding public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has consistently spoken out against cutting jobs. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees.
He said, “At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk. We’ll put cash at risk when we make a game, but we don’t put jobs at risk. Even if our own IP brings in zero dollars, we still haven’t put any jobs at risk – we still have a path forward where we’ll be able to keep people on. So, in a lot of ways, it’s a choice.” These remarks highlighted an intention to prioritize the stability of the team over short‑term financial pressures, a stance that resonated with many in the industry who have seen similar cutbacks at other studios.
However, the current economic climate for video‑game developers has been increasingly challenging. The past year has seen a slowdown in consumer spending on entertainment, rising production costs, and a tightening of investment capital, all of which have contributed to a “bleeding” effect across the sector—a term the engineering manager used to describe the pervasive financial strain.
Analysts suggest that the decision to lay off staff may have been driven by a combination of factors, including the need to reduce overhead, the uncertainty surrounding upcoming project revenues, and broader market pressures such as the recent decline in console sales and the saturation of the indie game market. While Schell Games has a portfolio of successful titles and a reputation for innovative immersive experiences, the company is not immune to the ripple effects of macro‑economic trends that have forced other mid‑size studios to downsize or even close altogether.
The impact of the layoffs extends beyond the individuals directly affected. For a studio that prides itself on collaborative, interdisciplinary work, losing members from marketing, art, design, and visual effects could disrupt ongoing projects and delay future releases.
It also raises questions about the studio’s capacity to sustain its creative pipeline, especially as it seeks to balance the development of new intellectual property with the maintenance of existing franchises. In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on how the company plans to navigate the current financial headwinds while staying true to its previously articulated values. As of the time of writing, no official statement from the studio’s leadership has been released beyond the employee‑generated posts.
The situation at Schell Games serves as a microcosm of a broader industry trend where even well‑established developers are forced to make difficult personnel decisions. It also highlights the tension between a public commitment to job security and the harsh realities of an unpredictable market. As the gaming sector continues to evolve, studios will need to find innovative ways to protect both their creative talent and their fiscal health, perhaps by diversifying revenue streams, exploring alternative funding models, or adopting more flexible development methodologies.
For the displaced employees, the next steps involve navigating a competitive job market while leveraging the experience and skills they honed at Schell Games. Many have expressed optimism about finding new opportunities, citing the industry’s overall demand for seasoned developers, artists, and marketers.
Meanwhile, the remaining staff at Schell Games will likely need to adapt to a leaner structure, taking on additional responsibilities and potentially reshaping the studio’s strategic direction to ensure long‑term viability. Overall, the layoffs at Schell Games underscore the fragile balance that game developers must maintain between creative ambition and economic sustainability.
As the industry continues to grapple with these challenges, the experiences of studios like Schell Games will be closely watched by peers, investors, and the broader gaming community alike.